GUNNERS HAVE THE BACKBONE NOW TO FINALLY WIN A TITLE

ARSENAL are top of the table and, with four games to go, they’re genuine contenders.

They’ve been absolutely great value to get there and, if Mikel Arteta manages to pull it off, there’ll be a nod to the teachings of Pep Guardiola, for sure.

First, they face a North London derby that could potentially make or break their title dreams.

But if they rely on what’s got them here, they’ll have their biggest chance of a first Premier League in 20 years – and that’s a strong spine.

From David Raya, through William Saliba and Gabriel, to Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard and on to Kai Havertz – every successful team needs a powerful backbone and Arteta’s built this team around one.

And, while Arsenal are certainly their own team, Arteta’s followed Guardiola’s lead in two key areas.

Aaron Ramsdale’s ability isn’t in doubt and no one’s questioning his credentials or saying he’s been a car crash.

But, in Raya (right), Arsenal have a top keeper who is so much better with the ball at his feet.

Much the way Guardiola sidelined Joe Hart, Arteta has made Raya his No.1 and stuck to his guns.

It’s paid off, too. Having a goalkeeper who can play out from the back, like Alisson or Ederson, isn’t the be all and end all, nor is it absolutely pivotal to winning the league. But it puts defenders and other team-mates at ease when you have a keeper who can take the ball with his feet and have a range of passing from the back that’s like an added outfield player. Secondly, Pep started experimenting with a false nine some years before Erling Haaland became the focal point of the team. To some degree, Arteta has

Arteta has made Raya his No.1 and stuck to his guns

followed suit. There’s always a fixation with a striker who can score 30 goals and critics claimed Arsenal couldn’t possibly win the title without a proper centre-forward.

You wouldn’t call Harvertz an out-and-out striker and he doesn’t post the numbers of Haaland or Mo Salah.

But Arsenal boast the best goal difference of the top three, so they’re not doing badly, are they?

Sometimes, relying on one forward to get the goals can be a detriment to the team.

It’s much better keeping clean sheets, playing a team game and sharing the goals around like

Arsenal. I’m predicting that there’ll be goals at Tottenham today.

As we saw at Everton in midweek, form goes out of the window in derby games and Spurs will be going all out to win.

Tottenham fans will want to stop Arsenal winning the title, but their players won’t be thinking that way.

They’ve got their own Champions League agenda to motivate them.

And that makes them a real danger to Arteta and his men.